Uncharacteristically Tangent

[morsus_et_mors]

Date: Thursday, January 4
Time: Snowy morning
Location: Hogsmeade
Characters Involved: Montague Morsus and Hermione Granger
Rating: PG-13, not less.

Comments

[thelastgranger]

The boy stumbled, looking frightened, right into Hermione’s legs, her hand instantly grasping his shoulder to ensure he wouldn’t stumble. He looked terrified and Hermione would have asked if her were okay, but he was muttering apologies and bolting around her down the road. Quirking an eyebrow, she looked up into the his face, and the answer to her question.

Montague Morsus.

Her cheeks were pink and her scarf didn’t quite keep out the cold, from where it was wound around her neck. There was something about the tranquillity and simple beauties of the day that had her venturing out and into it.

She was too well mannered to ignore him, so Hermione smiled, as the season called for, giving a slight bow of her head. It was impossible to avoid, he stood right in the centre of her path.

Pulling her coat closer, she fidgeted her toes inside her shoes, unwilling to appear as awkward as she felt.

"They've got a few years left before they really need to find their smarts." Hermione indicated to the children, still swirling around them, much like the snow had earlier.

[morsus_et_mors]

As in any classic comedy-drama novel, Montague's evil deed had been countered by that of a kind 'fairy', and he felt the urge to roll his eyes at how predictable this all was going. A few steps toward him, and the girl would admonish him for being so cruel with the children, and wave an index finger at him, putting him to shame. Then they would get into a verbal fight and her rosy cheeks would get dark red in anger, and all would be fun and amusing.

Or so Montague thought in those few seconds before she actually spoke up. Hermione Granger, one of the saintly trio, and a rather pretty young woman now. And her words-- were not exactly admonishing either. Montague arched an eyebrow in silent curiosity as to the originality of her intro speech.

"I was brought up in a Weltanschauung of perfection, I'm afraid, and it did not allow for such excuses," he countered, casting a sidelong glance at the children and then at his unlikely interlocutor. "Even if they are just children," he added with a condescending smirk. "Ms Granger, fancy meeting you here. Enjoying the view?"

[thelastgranger]

"Fair enough. Although I've found when children are permitted to be children, they're less likely to act so in later life." She said, eyes affectionately scanning the crowd, remembering a time she'd have glared at those running and playing, as if it offended her, secretly jealous of course.

Burying her hands in her pockets, Hermione looked up into his smirking face with controlled neutrality. "A short walk took a long detour." She explained, gesturing to the castle looming behind them in the distance.

"Not a fan of winter myself, too much hassle, layers and mess. But it's undeniably beautiful." The snow resting in the gutters of the shop they were stopped in front of took that moment to litter her with soft yet freezing snow flakes, picked up by a breeze. Giving her head a shake, cold droplets already sliding down her neck. "Pretty, not practical.

“What about you? What brings you out amongst all this, Mr Morsus?”

[morsus_et_mors]

The girl had a point, Montague thought, although not quite shocking enough for him to consider it at full length. Shrugging, he nodded as if in agreement, but more likely in dischargement of the argument. "I suppose," he added. He was not exactly interested in what transpired with the children-- if it were in his powers, he'd go as far as prohibiting families at all.

"Although, sharing my personal observations, children grow up into much more interesting individuals when they are not pampered and surrounded by all that... glitter that some call family," Montague continued, despite his earlier decision not to pursue that exact line of conversation. He smiled coldly, extending his hand to shake off some of the larger snowflakes that got stuck in Hermione's hair.

"I was out to get myself a breakfast, as odd as that may sound," he said, replying to the question. "Do not ask why Hogsmeade - I do not know myself," he shrugged, sincere for once. "Perhaps some ill-fated and sentimental nostalgia of the days we spent in that castle." With that he started walking slowly, turning to look at Hermione. There was no point in breakfasting alone, he figured. Granger would at least amuse him with her complete incompatibility with him, he thought. "Would you join me in my endeavour, perhaps?" And there was a hand extended toward the girl.

[thelastgranger]

"Interesting, maybe. But how are we not to know they'd have been interesting regardless? Although this seems neither the time or the place for discussions of nature and nurture."

There was something about him, undeniably charming, but something about his smile that was unsettling, even as he extended his hand and touched her hair. She smiled her thanks, giving her shoulder one last brush to rid herself of as much as she could.

This was not a good idea. Curious eyes studied him a moment, while she quickly listed the pros and cons in her head, calculating what harm, if any could befoul her. Coming up with nothing, she nodded, before she over thought it. "Why thank you, I can't see why not." Hermione smiled hesitating only a second before moving forward to join him.

"Has anywhere taken your fancy, as of yet?"

The company of an adult would be appreciated, seventh years not quite making the cut when it came to what she considered ‘intelligent conversation’.

[morsus_et_mors]

"Agreed," Montague smiled laconically. "Perhaps another time, when there aren't so many subjects of our discussion running around and--," Montague made an effort to step aside as a crowd of about 9-year-old children run straight toward them. "-And attempting to kill us both off," he finished with a deathly glare thrown after the kids.

"As for the fancy," Montague continued, stepping back to Hermione and offering his hand for her to hold on to (it seemed like such an amusing idea!), "I am thinking I shall let you choose this. Undeniably, you know this place much better than myself." He looked around disapprovingly, not liking the abundance of colour and glitter around, left from the holidays. "I have only visited Hogsmeade twice since my graduation."

[thelastgranger]

They really weren't helping their cause, attempting to trample her as they rocketed past. "Maybe not kill, maim might be more accurate." Hermione cringed, having had one of her feet heavily trodden on. "But at that age, I think unless we're holding money, sweets or toys, we're simply scenery to them, much like a shrub in their way."

Conversation came easily, oddly, Hermione found herself wondering how truly dangerous such an intelligent man could be. Although Hermione both appreciated and understood intelligence could be someone’s greatest weapon.

She wasn't thinking, her mind clearly must have been on something else, the child almost bowling her over, the snow dripping down her back, anything else because when they started walking again, her hand had indeed taken his. They weren't old friends, hardly acquaintances, strangers and she was acting like a complete and utter fool.

Dammit, Hermione, this is how you get yourself into trouble. You go and do stupid things. You should know better, really. You're a smart girl and here you are, holding the hand of a suspected Death Eater, like he's your 2nd year sweetheart.

Shut UP! I'm... I don't KNOW what I'm doing!

Oh good, great, you don't know? Well find out.

Hermione promptly stopped her thoughts, talking to ones self might be common, but talking back was a worry.

Her hand was warm, from being encased in her pocket and now she'd placed it in his, she could very well just pull it right back again. Look what the 'brightest witch of her age' had got herself into now.

"There's a coffee shop, just up the street a bit." The quicker they got there, the quicker she could find an excuse to step back. "Nothing like that gaudy tea shop." Hermione liked it there, calm and quiet, a bit too expensive for her usual tastes, but sometimes it was worth the extra to get away from the usual hustle and bustle.

[morsus_et_mors]

Throwing one last look at the obnoxiously noisy children, Montague frowned in an aftermath of his irritation, and shrugged. "Perhaps. That does not, however, make me any more a loving adult, I suppose. Were it my will-- I'd have them all isolated on some far away island, from which they would only be allowed to come back once they come out of their age." He grinned, genuine mirth in his eyes, "I think the world would become a much better and logical place then."

With the children left behind, the two were almost alone on the path, with a few adults hurrying from one colourful shop to another. It still must not have registered in their minds that the new year had begun and that new ways of thinking were to be embraced. Or whatever other silly things those weaklings usually came up with for the New Year's Eve. Sleepy and sore, they looked less than flattering, and Montague cringed inwardly at such an uncouth sight. Here they were walking, contemplating the very reason why he hated his inferiors so intensely - their absolute lack of style.

"Coffee shop sounds delightful," Montague responded to Hermione's offer, casting one quick glance at their holding hands. He had an urge to smirk victoriously as an acknowledgement of his charisma still going strong, but the urge had been thwarted in the very beginning. Hermione Granger was not some silly weakling, he knew, if only from other people. But those were trusted insiders, just as Granger herself was a trustworthy source - Montague could tell from her body language and conversational skills that she was a force to be reckoned with. All the more interesting, he thought, looking ahead and smiling to his own thoughts.

"I do hope you have been well, Ms Granger?" he started a new conversation with his companion. Let's see how she is at maneuvering. "I gather you have been employed at Hogwarts?"

[thelastgranger]

Now she'd seen an actual smile on his face, gauging his reactions would be easier. The more she learnt about him and how he tackled situations, his views, how he reacted, the easier it would be for her to finally decided what indeed she thought of the man and if she found him to be a risk. "Honestly, I can think of at least a few adults I'd like to 'holiday' on such an island." Hermione said, falling into step beside him, now that their path was clear. "That would ensure the world was both a better and more logical place."

She didn't notice details about the others, although she could tell you the title of the book the woman passing her had been carrying, but nothing else about her.

Montague was unfamiliar, her comfort level with him was extremely low and thus the problem of holding his hand was a large one. She wanted to fidget, but resisted the urge. Too weak her hold and her nerves would show, too strong and he'd know she was uncomfortable. She was over thinking, as usual. Relax, that's what she had to do, relax. His larger hand closed around hers easily and she ensured her grip was regular before forcing her mind from it all together.

"I have. Enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season and holiday." Hermione smiled, eyes darting from the path ahead to his face, before she looked back. "Why yes. An Assistant of sorts. Although I'm also getting ready to finally sit my NEWTS." She answered, not wanting to go into unnecessarily detail, she did have an awful habit of babbling.

"And for you, Mr Morsus? How is business at The Gallery?"

[morsus_et_mors]

Their conversation seemed easy and friendly enough, and silently, Montague wondered how exactly it was possible. The girl walking beside him, her hand in his own, was a Mudblood. However intelligent and even interesting she could be - Hermione Granger still was a daughter of despised Muggles, and from what he knew - very proud of it. That was, currently, the only thing that kept her on her lower pedestal in his eyes. Even her association with Potter and the rest of the 'egalitarian' coterie was not as significant as her blood status. Pity, he thought with real regret, before turning his attention back to their discussion.

"Ah, Christmas," Montague half-smirked. "Never knew what was the charm of that holiday - one Very Able Man, I suspect he was a Wizard, or more probably - a Halfblood - died, or rather killed, and there we go - a hype that lasted millennia." He cast a sidelong glance at his companion, before adding less radically, "I suppose it is the bright colours and stuffed toys." After a moment of silence, he continued, "I myself spent Christmas at home, enjoying my little illegal joys." Or to be more precise - absinth, opium, and an impromptu Baudelaire performance played by my badly exploited House Elves, he added in his mind, lips sliding in a rather dark smile.

"But do forgive me, I do get carried away sometimes," Montague said, stopping their walk for a moment to take a look at Hermione. "Business is fine, although I prefer taking it as more a lifestyle, rather than something concerned with money." He shrugged. "However you," Montague smiled charmingly, resuming their walk toward the coffee shop which was only a few metres away from them now, "Taking your NEWTS. Interesting. How has that been going?"

[thelastgranger]

Everything a Pureblood could do, she could do, in some cases she could even do it better. Purebloods were as bad as Muggles when it came to prejudice, Muggles who had tried to eradicate whole religions under the pre-tense of 'purification'. But people could surprise you and while Hermione got the feeling he looked down towards her, she'd never dream of treating him with anything but respect. Until provoked, of course.

"A wizard, maybe, or a schizophrenic. Or both." Hermione suggested, thinking back to her own childhood, being raised in quite a religious household. "I was raised to celebrate it and when we're taught things from a young age, they tend to stick with us. I think most people celebrate it purely out of habit."

Oh but he did know how to make her uncomfortable. The expression she glimpsed made her skin almost crawl. Maybe it would be best not to go into just what 'illegal joys' he had. Instead she just raised her brow, letting everything remain unsaid.

When they stopped, it drew even more attention to their joined hands as he looked at her. Tilting her head slightly to one side, she kept her eyes level with his. "I think to truly appreciate and enjoy art, that's the only way to see it."

Glad to be moving again, she was again confused by him. "Interesting? Most people got that out of the way with years ago. I on the other hand attend rare classes with people years younger than me... Interesting, not really." Hermione was glad to arrive at the coffee shop, waiting a few moments before allowing her hand to slip from his. "Although I'm lucky for the opportunity and I do enjoy the chance to learn what I missed."

[morsus_et_mors]

"Agreed," Montague said once again. "I like your take at the possible schizophrenia," he continued, opening the door of the coffee-shop for her. "For some reason, it amuses me greatly that Muggles and majority of the Wizarding folk celebrate the birth and death of a madman. Kind of ironic, if you think."

Inside the coffee-shop was a realm of all five senses of the physical. The smell, the sight, the hearing, taste and touch - everything was, or seemed, pleasant, and Montague found himself smiling, satisfied like an expensive and elegant giant cat. Leading their way into a cosy corner away from the frosty windows and into the dark-beige/wood coloured insides, he finally seated them at a well-styled table that seemed to appease his sense of the aesthetic. "Finally someone decides to invest into something beautiful," he said, tending to Hermione before taking his own seat.

As they waited for a waiter to attend to them, Montague sat back and cocked his head lightly, contemplating his companion for a few silent moments. "That is what I find interesting, Ms Granger. What made you lag behind on the NEWTS, if it is not a secret?" He had a few theories of his own, the most popular one being her involvement in the war and the rest of the history, but he wanted to hear the story from the first hands. Always interesting, those.

[thelastgranger]

Stepping through the door, she looked over her shoulder, not quite used to men being such gentlemen. "People see themselves lost in a world they don’t understand and have the habit in believing in things... Just to believe in them. Whether Jesus Christ healed the sick and turned water to wine, people are comforted by that image and for them, it's enough." Hermione shrugged, head turning back to watch where she was walking. She was too practical for such things, blind faith in someone she wasn't sure was even there, no that wasn't her style, although she could appreciate why it appealed to so many.

Watching him right back, she let a half smile appear. "It was a hard year, for most. I don't like to do things half arsed; surely my concentration wouldn’t have been at its best, so I decided to wait." The half-truth matched the half smile as she crossed her legs. "It was always my intension to finish, but I happened to have the opportunity to actually come back to Hogwarts and do so."

It had unsettled her to leave school unfinished, but looking back, with worrying about where Harry and Ron were and what was happening, she'd not have got anything done. Although she hated to think her parents were both lost before she finished her education, two people who valued knowledge so much both thinking of her as a 'drop out'.

"School could wait, where as some things refused to." Hermione rarely worried herself with such things as charm, but that wasn't to mean she didn't know of it and know when someone was trying to charm her. His questions were unsettling and while she didn't want to appear to be dodging them, she couldn't help be hesitant about her answers.

[morsus_et_mors]

"Ah," Montague replied, not bothering to add any more to their conversation until the waitress would come. Silence was so much more interesting, when it came down to testing the unknown variables. Eyes still fixed on Hermione, Montague let himself take the view of her completely in, without digressing into details. It was as if he was trying to get one definitive feel of her, a mental imprint of her, unto which all the following particulars would be attached later - creating a picture of her in his mind. For further referencing.

They did not have to wait long, however, for the waitress, who came (all very neatly and elegantly dressed, earning Montague's approval) with the menus and politely offered them to her clients. Or guests, more precisely, as it always was in coffee houses. Finally tearing his gaze away from Hermione, Montague looked down at the booklet, looking for his one and only drink.

"I'll start with Ristretto," he said, once locating the name tag. "As for the breakfast, I'd like a mix of English and French," he added with a smile. "I'll go with kedgeree, black pudding, and..." Montague paused, as he searched the menu for one last time, "dark chocolate, please." With that he handed the menu back to the waitress and returned his attention to his companion.

Once Hermione was done with her order, he offered her a wide smile, too sincere, if he were to have seen himself in a mirror. "You are an interesting individual, Ms Granger. I'm delighted."

[thelastgranger]

Hermione wasn't used to being looked at so thoroughly. She couldn't help but feel people were coming up with insults, even if they weren't saying them. It was a pretty twisted way of seeing things, but she'd heard a fair few, about her teeth and hair in particular. Then again, her teeth were normal these days and her hair even looked slightly more controlled than it used to.

Old habits still die hard.

She wasn't embarrassed enough to plush, but she couldn't hide the discomfort his attention brought. Hermione met his eyes when they reached hers and even gave him a quick once over to feel on even ground.

Listening to him order, the gave a quick glance to the menu. "I'll just have coffee, latte would be lovely, thank you." Hermione ordered, handing over her menu before the waitress retreated.

She returned his smile, giving a slight nod of her head. "Why thank you. But I think interest, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Something one person may find interesting, another may find completely dull. So it should be I who is delighted."

[morsus_et_mors]

His silent observation had not gone unnoticed, which left Montague rather satisfied. It was not a mere sport for him, intimidating people, it was more of an art. It required talent and abilities, and a constant, never-ending perfectionism for it to become beautiful and effective. To such an extent that even the victims of his intimidation could appreciate the effort input. And so honing his skills was almost an imperative on an unconscious level.

Intimidation did not only mean negative intimidation. Oh, if one were to ask Montague what he knew about the subject, he would offer a list of concepts that could fall under its umbrella. Mere physical intimidation was a game for the weaker, and Montague rarely ever resorted to it. Much more interesting was the combination of nonverbal and psychological. Exactly what he was using on Hermione. He wanted to see what her reaction would be, and what he saw, was satisfactory. The girl did not falter and showed that she could withstand much more sophisticated and that much sharper pressures.

Perhaps, that was not exactly the best thing for her.

"I do agree," Montague said, seemingly relinquishing his earlier hawk-eye on her. "However, I do believe that true originality, like diamonds, should remain equally appealing to any beholder's eye," finishing the sentiment, he offered a polite smile, which nevertheless did not manage to cover up the sharpness of his cold gaze. However warm and kind a wolf could appear, it would always stay a predator. "I would argue that the notion of absolute value has some ground to it, however attractive relativism would seem."